Nokian extends shutdown in Tennessee, opens factory in Russia

NOKIA, Finland—Nokian Tyres P.L.C. is extending the temporary closure of its plant in Dayton, Tenn., through at least April 26, and has restarted production at its plant in Vsevolozhsk, Russia.

Nokian said its decision to keep the Dayton plant on hiatus is in "accordance with guidelines from public authorities."

The plant in Dayton was idled on March 27 in order to safeguard the well-being of Nokian Tyres employees and the Southeast Tennessee community amid the growing COVID-19 pandemic. That directive was to last two weeks.

In Russia, Nokian restarted production on April 6, as previously planned, and said a government decree on restrictions in movement did not apply to the factory. Nokian idled the car and light truck tire plant—which supplies some models to the U.S.—on March 30 for a week.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on April 2 extended the COVID-19 "non-working regime" of paid holidays across the country until the end of April.

The provisions, Nokian said, do not apply to the Vsevolozhsk factory, "as it is a continuously operating enterprise and it is thus allowed to continue normal operations."

Production at Nokian's factory in Finland was idled for two weeks starting April 6.

Nokian said company leadership in the U.S. will continue to evaluate the COVID-19 situation and monitor guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, state and local leaders to determine when to reopen the factory.

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